About Fightback4Justice

Our registered office is based in Tottington Bury Lancashire and people are welcome to visit with prior appointment Monday–Friday. We hold drop in/outreach advice sessions in a number of places monthly in the North West which are open to the public.

Our CIC registration document is below, (Advocacy For Disabled People CIC however we trade as Fightback4Justice) and are registered as a non profit Community Interest Company non profit and with asset locked status, meaning even if we had to close, (which we won’t, ) then all computers etc would have to be given to a similar organisation as we cannot benefit from Fightback. We are fully insured both Personal Indemnity, volunteer & staff also have Public Liability Insurance and have up to date Data Protection Registration and Training.

Everything we receive in donations goes back into running Fightback each month and helps expand our reach and services including the donations from our form completion service, without this we would fold. We also have 5 full time staff, 3 part time and 6 volunteers manning the 4 advice lines part time and VIP lines and chat full time and further funding will go towards increasing these hours, and training more advice line volunteers in order to meet demand. This also applies to the VIP service which allows people to be prioritised and gain access to hundreds of useful documents in order to help guide them through the appeal, application process with our helping hand and help themselves.

We are a name you can trust and have been runners up in numerous awards, in 2014 we were runners up for the Disability Group at the prestigious Diversity Awards, in 2013 we won People’s Champion awards, in 2014 we were awarded a grant from the Nationwide for Community Group of the quarter and again we were nominated in 2015. We were also invited and gave oral evidence to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) about systematic violations by our Government to disabled people.

As founder I have an LLB with honors in Law from University of Bolton 2012, and a certificate of Legal Education from Manchester Met University and A.S Law. I have studied for 2 law degrees over the years. I also qualified and was certified as a voluntary Gateway Adviser with CAB in 2013 and worked for them full time as a Law Advisor/Outreach Benefits Advisor in 2012-13, and attended many numerous training sessions from PIP (DWP own course) to The latest Care Act course by solicitors Irwin Mitchell. I have worked for a local solicitor’s running the Welfare Benefits Department and training staff in 2014. Since then, as most of you know, I’ve gained further experience by founding and running Fightback, along with my eldest daughter Chloe who works full time as Office Manager and form filling expert, and friends and colleagues, 2 of which are lawyers another final year law student, 2 medical (NHS) Health Care Professionals, one a children’s nurse of 30 years and an Occupational therapist. All of which we have personally trained in depth to the highest of standards and have regular updates on changes occuring in legislation/trends in assessments and news. We attend regular meetings with ATOS and 3 monthly at the PIP forum in London where the assessors, DWP and other organisations meet to discuss changes and improvement options. Further training courses, internally and externally are ongoing and all of our caseworkers and phone advisors are trained in data protection, safeguarding and benefits to City and Guilds standard, we keep up to date with the latest DWP/ATOS Tribunals on a daily basis mostly in person during our dealings with officials in each area. We also work with local MP’S and charities in the area to help provide free advice sessions. I have been guest speaker at 9 events for various groups in the North West at no charge other than basic travel expenses. We attend regular CPAG training courses and also run our own, training NAS and housing associations along with local authority groups, and advise local MP office and assist.

Experience is our greatest trainer and we have assisted with thousands of successful PIP/ESA claims, Appeals and Advocated in Court, supporting in 900 plus assessments since inception in 2013. We also offer face to face assistance in completing Disability Benefits Forms, Appeals Advocacy, Over payments, and allegations of Benefit Fraud. Want to know more? Then you can find out my full background on linked in or ‘More about us’ on the website. Fightback consists of a wonderful team who all work tirelessly in order to bring you daily help and give you the best chance of successfully claiming disability benefits, appealing a decision or in an assessment. We are qualified in their own right.

Michelle Cardno Llb (Hons)

Certified by the DWP

Through Disability Confident, DWP are working with employers to ensure that disabled people and those with long term health conditions have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations. We have been assessed and meet the criteria for a disability confident employers/voluntary organisation.

Our Team Members

Meet the Fightback Team!

Michelle Cardno (LLB Hons)

FB4J Director – As founder I have an LLB with honors in Law from University of Bolton 2012, and a certificate of Legal Education after completing 2 years of a law degree from Manchester Met University and A.S Law. I have studied for 2 law degrees over the years. I also qualified and was certified as a voluntary Gateway Adviser with CAB in 2013 and worked for them full time as a Law Advisor/Outreach Benefits Advisor in 2012-13 and attended many numerous training sessions from PIP (DWP own course) to the latest Care Act course by solicitors Irwin Mitchell. I have worked for a local solicitor’s running the Welfare Benefits Department and training staff in 2014. Since then, as most of you know, I’ve gained further experience by founding and running Fightback, which I set up after finishing at CAB when legal aids came into force. I have since attended numerous training functions with CPAG and even the assessors and DWP. I have also been given an unconditional place on the Social Welfare Masters course and am currently enrolling to do the Cilex level 6 in 2018. I have always had an interest in social justice and I am originally a market trader by trade, having built up a family business of 25 years on Bury outdoor Market and other local markets in their heyday running 5 different units and a small village shop, the Bury Market unit is now owned by my eldest daughter. The rest is history!

Chloe Harvey – Hamilton

FB4J Managing Director – My name is Chloe Harvey-Hamilton and I am one of the directors here at Fightback, I have been with Fightback since 2013 after taking redundancy from TNT following the birth of my third child (Fightback George), I was with TNT for 4 years working in the Cash Allocation Department, although I enjoyed my job I felt I would be better suited helping people which is why I made the decision to leave my job and help Michelle (also my mum ͅ ) with Fightback. I have since become highly trained in all aspects of PIP, ESA, AA and DLA mainly specialising in the form filling. I have been with Fightback since the start and I have seen us grow from strength to strength at a very fast pace, I am excited to see what the future holds for us as a non profit organisation.

Amanda Barnes

FB4J Admin Supervisor – I joined in 2016 bringing years of administration, clerical and customer services experience with me. I am office based and assist daily with the VIP line, admin and appeals. I am the first gateway for the VIP clients when they call and I am also a trained PIP and review form filler, advocate and MR reviewer. I have a wealth of experience in PIP and ESA and am converse in tribunal procedure and lodging appeals. I am trained in data protection and also manage the files.

Dee Clarke

FB4J Admin Supervisor – I have been a volunteer for Fightback from day one when it had just ‘1 Facebook Like’ to what it is today, and the amount of people we have helped is amazing. I have various conditions and disabilities which have given me a wealth of information to be able to help others who are feeling vulnerable and going through extremely stressful times. I can offer advice on numerous conditions ie Fibromyalgia, Spine issues, Mental Health and more. There is something about being able to help others that makes it therapeutic. Our aim is to help others, however, it has also helped me come to terms with my disabilities on our Exciting Adventure! I am experienced in completing PIP/ESA forms, and offer General advice here on Vip, General Chat and Facebook messages. 7 days a week 365 days a year, like other admins you can find me here, so I can say I am Dedicated, Passionate, have Empathy, a good ear and I Love It… :)

Katie Wright

Hello I’m Katie ! I’m a first class honours graduate of the University of Manchester where I studied and Law. I am currently training to became a Barrister and I aim to specialise in Human Rights.

Sue

I work in the office Monday to Thursday and am the person who meets and greets our clients in the office, I welcome visitors with a friendly smile and a nice hot cuppa. I am also trained to do direct lodgement and fill in the sscs1 in the office and over the phone. I am trained on the advicelines and am the VIP reception for phone and clients. I am trained in data protection and also manage the files.

Amy Turnock

I have 5 years experience working in 2 different defence solicitors. I started off my career working at Khattak Solicitors which is a criminal defence solicitors, my role was a legal secretary moving onto the Crown Court department preparing trial files. I then moved on to work at Tuckers Solicitors where I worked within the Magistrates Court department as a court clerk. This role involved attending court and prisons to prepare clients files for trial. I have recently joined Fightback and have loved every minute of it. I have been completing PIP forms, file reviews and other work within the office.

Catherine

I came to Fightback as a volunteer at the beginning of this year, and was taken on as administration in February. I have a background in Health and Social Care previously, working with Adults with Learning Disabilities and also in a secondary school doing pastoral work, across all years. I am part of the administration team- answering and returning calls and dealing with general enquiries, filing documentation and sending information to court. Its great team to work in!

Jade Mcaleer

My name is Jade and my working background started in customer service as I have always thrived on being able to help people. After the birth of my first child which was a traumatic experience I relied heavily on various NHS services, this lead me into wanting to do a u turn and change my career. Here I am now 11 years working for the NHS and I have never looked back.I have worked in various settings including hospital and community clinics. I love that every day brings a new challenge and dealing with the general public from all walks of life has taught me to never judge a book by its cover. If I can make just one persons day better either through spending those 10 minutes just listening or arranging specialised care for them then I know I am doing my job properly. Then I was introduced to the Fightback team who are a fantastic people who dedicate their lives to helping those who require support with their claims from start to finish. I complete PIP forms with clients from home around my other job and I thoroughly enjoy helping each and every client I speak with to complete their forms by taking that stress away of them having to stuggle to complete it themselves.

Syd

My name is Syd, and I complete PIP and ESA forms. I have years of experience in Customer Service and helping people in financial difficulty. My passion for helping people has stems from being young. My mum is an immigrant and left her family after being widowed to work in this country. From a young age I would help her speak as she had a language barrier and growing up I watched her being discriminated against so much. This motivates me even now to stop others being discriminated against in any way, and encouraged me learn 7 languages. I am so passionate to help those who are in a position where they need support. I live by the motto ‘you’re never wrong to do the right thing.

Ifroza Bangi

FB4J Solicitor – I joined Fightback in October 2018 as an Advocate predominantly attending PIP and ESA appeals, and drafting various other documents. I graduated from my law degree from Manchester Metropolitan University in 2011 and completed my Legal Practice Course in 2012. I went on to become a qualified Solicitor at a Top 50 law firm. This is also where I started working as soon as I finished my degree, starting in the Admin Team and progressing into the role of a Solicitor in the Industrial Disease Team. I left the corporate law environment to drive my career into a different direction, and an opportunity came along to work with Fightback. Working here is very different to anything else I have done, but I feel privileged to be part of such a good cause as the work they do is very inspiring.

Our Satisfied Members

Google Reviews

I received an esa capability for work form I was not expecting it at all. I have been sick for 15years approx. I completely lost it and panicked. I messaged fight back for help to fill in my form received a message within minutes from Lucy she made arrangements for me to fill in my form over the phone. When I rang at the time agreed Lucy made me feel at ease and helped greatly filling in my form over the phone. When finished she said she would get the form out to me the day after however I received it the next day. I went through it and she had done a fantastic job with it. I was so relieved it was done. Thank you very much Lucy for your help it was much appreciated. I’d highly recommend the services of fight back . I will use your services again xxread more

Fightback4Justice helped me get from reduced PIP and no Daily Living Expenses to Enhanced on mobility and Enhanced Daily Living Expenses by the Judge who within 5/10 minutes of entering the Tribunal (they had already decided before we entered the room I believe) this was due to Cat at Fightback who had produced the submission forms for their attention! Without Fightback not sure if it would have been overturned, I very much doubt it, however, I am extremely grateful to Fightback and will URGE anyone who is going through a similar situation to ask Fightback for their professional help. They should receive an award for being the most helpful and polite people I have come across and they show they care about you… Well done Fightback4Justice another Assessment maybe for me in about 18 months, so I will be using Fightback4Justice at that time!read more

I knew the forms were coming and did not know what I was going to do. I had seen Fightback on my Facebook page and thought it would be good to check them out, they seemed to care about disabilities and what people were going through. I thought they were to good to be true, little did I know they were going to change my life. The hard work and dedication to others, when they themselves fight with their own issues, is beyond any expectation anyone could receive. They took the stress away when filling in the forms. It was like having a conversation and finding the form finished while doing this. Please, do not pass this opportunity for help, it will change your life too. I should not forget Cat, who came to my home and advocated for me. Her kindness and empathy I will never forget. Thank you to all who give of their time and change so many lives.read more

Absolutely fantastic, professional service! I used the information on the VIP Platform for my daughters Mandatory Reconsideration along with receiving email advice from the VIP team. Today we received the dreaded brown envelope and my daughter has been awarded Enhanced in both categories! So relieved! Fightback helped to ease the burden and stress of fighting for what my daughter was rightfully entitled to. We would highly recommend to anyone dealing with the PIP process.read more

A fantastic job done thank you.Your services were very quick, polite and very understanding. I recommend Fightback 100% to help in any disability benefit claim they take the worry and stress out of form filling and helping with mandatory reconsideration and appeals. They all no there stuff and go above and beyond, not one of them take a wage and all donations are plowed back into helping anybody that needs there help.Fightback areSimply the best.read more

FANTASTIC team. Professional, welcoming, knowledgeable and advises you accordingly. They went the extra mile for me and my fight is still on going and so I will be putting up another review in due course!! Keep up the good work guys!! L xx

Quick, professional and expert advice. Had my PIP withdrawn 18 months ago. Fightback4justice supported me in court before a tribunal and my benefit was re-instated, along with back payment. Just had my review forms, booked telephone appointment and then sent forms to the office. Forms completed by knowledgeable staff. All the panic taken care of. Just now have to wait for result. I would always use Fightback4justice and recommend their services to everyone. Superb service with helpful, knowledgeable staffread more

Chloe helped me with my ESA form, I got put back into the support group for 18 months this time instead of12 months. Thank you Chloe and all of the team at Fightback. I know I could never have got this without you help. I have been helped in the past by fightback ,as have my family and friends . I can not recommend fightback enough,they are friendly, professional and most helpful. Anyone attempting to fill out these type of forms by themselves please don’t,let Fightback help you the money they charge is very little for all of the help and advise they give to their clients. Once again thank you Fightback.read more

A big thank you to Jade for helping me to complete my pip forms, transferring from a lifetime award on DLA! She took the time to listen and suggest ways to word the forms in a way that I couldn’t. She was very patient and understanding. Today I received the decision. ….enhanced for daily living and mobility with an ongoing award. Thank you Jade and Fightback. Clare Brooks.read more

A Huge Thank you to all the team at Fightback. I’ve just been awarded standard for both elements of my PIP award and as it was my first and I started this feeling positively ill at the thought of it all, I am so grateful for the advice and help, with the amount of information of information on your website and the quick replies to my emails and chats, your calm approach is just the best as I have been sitting on the floor in tears surrounded by bits of paper! This will make an amazing difference to me and I know it will to others so I’ll keep up my subscription as much as I can. I truly recommend your service to everyone finding it really hard to cope with all the difficulties that they encounter just trying to get the benefit they deserve.read more

I contacted fight back for justice to help with my mandatory reconsideration for a refused PIP claim.They have been so so helpful in helping me with what I need to complete the MR.I am yet to complete the MR, however whatever happens I will continue to be a VIP member and pay the monthly fee.For £4.99 a month this is a small price to pay for such a worthy cause.This is stressful enough fighting back but with their support it helps relieve some of the pressure & sleepless nights.read more

I’ve been a VIP supporter for 2 years and have just used the F4J team’s services for the first time. Michelle and the Fightback team are so supportive and knowledgable, just knowing they are are there if you need their advice is a massive relief. Thank you all. I’ll let you know when I hear any news, and will continue to support you. You do an amazing job. Xread more

Thank you so much for all the help, support and information for our PIP Tribunal. If is was not for your advice and understanding we would have given up months ago. We won! Thank you so much! Excellent service 🙂

Got a form to change over from indefinite DLA to PIP in May. I contacted fight back immediately and booked an appointment with Amanda to fill in the form over the phone. It took about an hour. Very professional service. I would have struggled to fill it in myself so their help was very much appreciated. I received a letter yesterday to say I’d been awarded standard daily living and standard mobility. I’m not sure I would have been awarded if fightback hadn’t helped me. Highly recommended.read more

Eternally grateful for Cat’s & your help with my PIP Tribunal Appeal! Living 3 hours away from you I had never heard of you until a stranger on a Facebook illness page recommended yourselves & so glad I found you.Your website, telephone, email & services are fast, professional & superb & highly recommend them to all!It took an immense amount of stress away, which meant my symptoms didn’t flare up as much & so didn’t need to take as much medication.Apologies for the immense amount of evidence you had to go through & taking up 1/2 a filing cabinet…….I just couldn’t work out what would help.Best wishes to all,B 🙂read more

l have used Fightback4Justice 2 0r 3 times now. l can only say they are extremely helpful with up to date advice and help. l highly recommend anyone who needs help completing forms etc to give Fightback a try. l wouldnt go anywhere else now. The Staff are extremely helpful and kind. Will be using them again and againread more

I had a lot of problems with my PIP claim. The assessment company were a nightmare and I felt like a wreck. I asked Fightback for help and Sarah was assigned to support me. Sarah sat in on my home PIP assessment. She took notes and reassured me she’d keep supporting me after the assessment. I would have gone to pieces without her as I couldn’t bear losing my Motability car. I got a great result and have kept my car. I believe nobody should go through the PIP or ESA ordeal without Fightback helping, from completing the form until you get the decision you deserve.read more

A massive thank you to all the Fightback team. My son had his PIP award reinstated and increased yesterday – Enhanced for DL and standard Mobility. The MR was so well written by Katie and Michelle and phone calls with others can only be described as being tremendously supportive and professional. Have been recommending you all to everyone who might need your services. Many ThanksFrances xread more

Big thank you to Sarah. I paid for the form to be filled out. Sarah was incredibly patient with me, and explained the questions in such a way, that was easier for me to understand. Would really recommend Fightback4Justice.

Have been fighting for 7yrs to be believed about my health issues. Finally last year heard about Fightback4 justice, sent all paperwork, had my appeal last week and with their help I got believed and won my case. Recommend these knowledgeable, caring people very highly.read more

Such a fantastic group of people, their only aim to help disabled and ill people survive and get what they are entitled to. Syd help my mum with forms and did a great job. Caring, friendly and professional. Highly recommended.

I can not reccommend these wonderful people enough. Right from day one they have made me feel at ease and taken the pressure off everything from PIP form filling to MR which thanks to them I have now won. Thank you for everything you have all done to help me.read more

I’m physically and mentally drained searched and found Fightback if you need welfare help and more Contact Fightback – they have helped me for over a year fully professional people, Great guidance and help full knowledge of welfare criteria law and more. fast email phone help & support, cant say how good Fightback have been fully presented and submitted my case and I GOT what the law states I should have been entitled too in the first place Thank You Michelle & the whole team xxread more

Review for Fightback Facebook Page -PIP Renewal Form Filling in with AmyDate of appointment: 27/07/2018 I would like to say a huge thank you to Amy and Fightback with all the help that they offered to me back in July this year with my PIP renewal paperwork. In May 2017 I was awarded PIP Enhanced Daily Living Needs for 2 years.My renewal came through in July 2018.I suffer from severe anxiety, depression, PTSD and have Disordered Eating. When the renewal came through, I completely lost it and was so scared that I would lose my benefit. People had mentioned Fightback to me in the past and therefore I contacted them. I am so happy that I did, Fightback took care of everything for me and offered me reassurance which was much needed. Fightback sent my renewal off immediately in July this year and on Xmas Eve I received the dreaded brown envelope, but what wonderful news I not only kept my enhanced Daily Living but they also awarded me Standard Mobility. I was not required to attend a face to face assessment. My award is till October 2020. The benefit system is a very scary place and I just think it’s so wonderful that Fightback is there to support people and they really care. I will definitely use Fightback in the future, thank you so very much, I could never even start to put into words the relief I feel that my PIP has been renewed. Can you please let me know how I can purchase from your Amazon wish list, I would like to get you a few things. Wishing you all the best.read more

After a 2 year fight trying to get PIP, I contacted Fight Back For Justice, they have been amazing. They are so friendly and helpful and very professional. I would definitely recommend them, they helped me get the outcome I wanted.

I’ve been a VIP supporter for 2 and a half years and this year used the F4J team’s services for the first time. Michelle and the Fightback team are so supportive and knowledgable, just knowing they are are there if you need their advice is a massive relief. Thank you all. I’ve had good news about my PIP and will continue to support you. You do an amazing job. Xread more

I have used Fightback for many years now and I have recommended them to so many people I have lost count they are amazing. I think we have all experienced that feeling of complete and utter despair when the dreaded brown envelope drops through the door the not wanting to open it followed by sheer panic. One phone call to Fightback and you know that you could not of chosen anyone better. Their knowledge of the benefit system is second to none and with their understanding, empathy and gentle questioning you are guaranteed the best possible outcome in a system that aims to fail you at the first hurdle. Do not be misled by the fake reviews that aim to blacken the name of Fightback4Justice. Fightback are the true Angels of the North!!read more

I have used Fightback’s service on two occasion and also recommended them to friends who have also used them. Their service is first rate and if needed I will use them again. Great staff with expertise need for benefits forms

Fantastic, professional and caring. If you need any help or are unsure of anything they will help you through the whole process or complete the forms for you over the phone. Highly recommended and thank you for all your help.

The team have given me wonderful support, and are patiently waiting for me to address my meltdown, before the stage for justice fight. I know when I’m ready they will be there for me.They offer a very professional service. We, the vulnerable, are so lucky to have such caring advocates within easy reach of us all.read more

Fightback are nothing short of amazing. The work that they put into fighting to get what people rightly deserve is incredible. No wonder they are award finalists. To say they are going strong with not 1p of funding speaks volumes. The negative feedback recently received is not called for. It is damn right spiteful. The fact that someone is clearly out to damage their reputation and somehow trying to hinder the good work they do is criminal and nothing short of pure jealousy. Keep doing what you do best and ignore the trolls. You don’t have over 50,000 supporters for nothing ❤️❤️❤️read more